Trauma & PTSD

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. - Lao Tzu

You do not have to live as a victim for the rest of your life. You CAN learn to build resilience and become empowered to live the best version of your life.

Recovering from trauma isn’t an easy process, but each small step forward makes the next step easy.

Common Types of Trauma

  • Sexual Abuse and Assault. (any unwanted & involuntary sexual behavior)
  • Child Abuse, Assault and Maltreatment
  • Domestic Violence
  • Victims of Crime
  • Medical Trauma
  • Accidents
  • Traumatic Loss
  • Hate and Terrorist Crimes
  • Natural Disasters
  • War Related Trauma

Reactions to Trauma often include:

  • Shock, denial, or disbelief.
  • Confusion, difficulty focusing or concentrating.
  • Anger, irritability, mood swings.
  • Anxiety, fear and feeling ‘on-edge’
  • Guilt, shame, self-blame.
  • Sleep problems
  • Physical symptoms including pain, headaches, etc.
  • Isolation and withdrawing from others.
  • Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks and hyper-vigilance
  • Feeling sad, hopeless or depressed
  • Feeling disconnected or numb.

BODY – MIND – SPIRIT THERAPY REDUCES SYMPTOMS AND BUILDS RESILIENCE

Humans don't automatically come with the capacity to handle trauma, our automatic response is generally to stuff it away in the hopes that it will disappear.

Unfortunately, psychological study and recent neuroscience shows that although our mind wants to get over the trauma (usually by maladaptive coping skills such as denial, angry outburst, drinking, etc), that the body remembers and traps our traumas with wordless emotions and feelings. This inner disconnection causes symptoms and problems in the person’s life. (The Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk )

Thankfully therapy provides ways to learn how to manage these symptoms and take control over them, and release the memory from the body.  One can learn how to not only relieve symptoms of fear, overwhelm and helplessness, but build resilience and enhance the capacity to clear the body of trauma and connect to your own healing energy.

There are many ways to treat trauma and PTSD, and I work with clients by using evidenced based treatments and whole body approaches, steeped in a combination of current neuroscience and ancient disciplines which encourages and allows for healing that supports your whole body, mind and spirit. I work at the pace that is supportive and helpful for clients.  Each treatment plan is individually planned and specific to each particular client and their circumstance.

 

Types of evidenced based treatments:

  • Somatic Body based therapy
  • Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavior Therapy
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
  • Narrative Theory
  • Exposure Therapy – as appropriate, but not always necessary
  • Creative Arts Expression
  • Play Therapy
  • BrainSpotting
  • Small Group Therapy

Usually a combination of individual and small group therapy is the most effective for clients. 

Benefits of Group Therapy for Trauma 

  • Validation – you are not alone in your struggles
  • Understanding – having others in similar circumstance understand you
  • Social Support – helps to combat isolation and loneliness
  • Connection – build connection with others in a safe environment
  • Learning from others – sharing experiences and coping skills helps build resilience
  • Communication – improve communication skills and gain self esteem
  • Help Others – the cycle of mentorship allows for everyone to help each other
  • Safe Environment – ability to practice new skills in a safe environment